Security at WDW Theme Parks

[janebanks]

Entering EPCOT after September 2001

EPCOT,
I heard your entrance song,
familiar from childhood,
and with your Future World frozen in place
I thought I had finally surpassed you.

But you always insisted on Firsts
and so you funneled me through a new one:
Disney security –
theming even the purple canopies
under which the guards
peered deep into my camera bag.

I clung to the white rope barrier,
a child again,
still awed by a World under your control.

[PeterPan]

There is vastly more going on than you will ever see. Just think about it...it is the number one tourist destination on PLANET EARTH. Even the air space is carefully watched. Their security budget is absolutly enormous.

[SandmanGStefani24]

keep in mind too, that just like any other business, there are undercover sercurity agents roaming the parks looking just like us. usually for every one security camera/person you see, there are like 4 or 5 that you don't see.

you never know who might be watching...

[TheRustyScupper]

Regarding Security:

1) Bag searches at entry
. . . mainly for show
. . . would stop only crimes of opportunity
2) Undercover
. . . there are plain clothes operatives (foxes)
. . . they mainly look for shoplifting
. . . but, they are also on the look for suspicious
3) Behind the scenes security
. . . certainly there is some ongoing

NOTE: Certainly there is security, but this is not Fort Knox or a military installation. Security is not tight. Besides, as the USA has well learned, if it is a suicide terrorist/bomber there is little chance that even the best security will stop him/her. I do not know about WDW as a target, but let's face facts, it is not a matter if "if", but "when" there will be another attach of some sort.

[Marker]

The fact that a suspected terrorist was arrested means that someone was doing their job. I will leave it in their hands to worry about that, they work with resources and facts that we'll never have access to. Worry on my part would be based on speculation and media provided misinformation.

I live 3-4 miles from a munitions factory that according to a recent news report makes 90% of the smaller caliber ammunition used by the US military.... A TARGET.

I live about 50 miles from the home of the B-2 bombers used for bombing runs over Iraq and other places..... A TARGET.

I live a couple hundred miles from what was once the Strategic Air Command headquarters.... A TARGET.

I work for a large telecommunications company which is responsible for a significant portion of communication network in this country... A TARGET.

If I wanted to be paranoid and afraid, I think I probably have just as much reason to fear living right here at home as anywhere else including WDW. I'll be content letting those responsible for worrying about it, handle the worry. If they say my bag should be checked, then I'll graciously let them check my bag. If they say I should take off my shoes at the airport, then I'll happily take off my shoes. Whatever I can do to help, I'll do, but otherwise for me, life goes on.

[lindique]

During my last trip (March), I saw (for the first time) armed county sheriffs at the entryways to the parks on a few days. Is this a new addition to security?

[JPL]

During my last trip (March), I saw (for the first time) armed county sheriffs at the entryways to the parks on a few days. Is this a new addition to security?

This may have had something to do with the cash register thief they finally caught at Pop Century I think that is the proper time frame.

[mttafire]

The fact that a suspected terrorist was arrested means that someone was doing their job. I will leave it in their hands to worry about that, they work with resources and facts that we'll never have access to. Worry on my part would be based on speculation and media provided misinformation.

I live 3-4 miles from a munitions factory that according to a recent news report makes 90% of the smaller caliber ammunition used by the US military.... A TARGET.

I live about 50 miles from the home of the B-2 bombers used for bombing runs over Iraq and other places..... A TARGET.

I live a couple hundred miles from what was once the Strategic Air Command headquarters.... A TARGET.

I work for a large telecommunications company which is responsible for a significant portion of communication network in this country... A TARGET.

If I wanted to be paranoid and afraid, I think I probably have just as much reason to fear living right here at home as anywhere else including WDW. I'll be content letting those responsible for worrying about it, handle the worry. If they say my bag should be checked, then I'll graciously let them check my bag. If they say I should take off my shoes at the airport, then I'll happily take off my shoes. Whatever I can do to help, I'll do, but otherwise for me, life goes on.

AMEN!! Agreed 100% I will also add, I love reading about how the British "citizens" STILL went to movies and theatre EVEN when the Germans was bombing Britain. Life MUST go on as normal..Thats freedom!